Interpreting the Good Life: Growth Memories in the Lives of Mature, Happy People.

TLDR

The discussion examines how growth memories contribute to cultivating the good life. The authors conducted two studies examining autobiographical memories for two growth orientations linked to maturity and well‑being. Mature individuals favored integrative growth memories, while happy individuals favored intrinsic ones; both memory types correlated more with eudaimonic than hedonic well‑being, were largely independent of Big Five traits, and older adults showed higher maturity and well‑being partly due to more growth memories.

Abstract

In 2 studies, the authors examined autobiographical memories for the presence of 2 growth orientations that were expected to correspond differentially to maturity and well-being, which are considered to be key facets of "the good life" by L. A. King (2001). Mature participants emphasized integrative memories (conceptual integration and learning), whereas happy participants emphasized intrinsic memories (humanistic concerns). Both kinds of growth memories correlated more strongly with eudaimonic than with hedonic measures of well-being. Growth memories were largely independent of Big Five traits in relation to maturity and well-being. Finally, older participants were more likely than younger participants to have greater maturity (marginally) and well-being, but this was in part explained by older participants' greater tendency to have growth memories. The discussion considers the role of growth memories in the intentional cultivation of the good life.